Programs look to address Diversity, Equity, Inclusion while advancing STEM education in the workplace, in communities, and in educational settings
Southeastern Massachusetts STEM Network will host two, virtual events focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in August 2021. With these programs, the Network endeavors to increase the participation of groups presently underrepresented in STEM, while maintaining the interest of those groups who are presently represented in STEM. In addition, the programs seek to illustrate how STEM skills expand career opportunities and can help address the “Wealth Gap”.
As regional STEM stakeholders collaborate to ensure equitable and inclusive communities, we also recognize the need to ensure that students have the skills necessary to secure a job they need and want in an equitable and inclusive workplace. The panelists, workshop facilitators, and resources provided during this event seek to support these goals and create models that can be replicated in our communities.
Program highlights include local student panelists, regional business & industry leaders, PK-16 educators/ administrators, and community leaders who will share their contemporary plans and thoughtful reflections on DEI in their respective settings. In addition, workshop topics include Computational Thinking Counts in Elementary Grades: Powerful STEM Teaching and Learning for the 21st Century; Hurricane Heros! Using Equitable Teaching Strategies in the 2021 STEM Challenge; Making Positive Change – community STEM & DEI Initiatives; Plastic Makes Perfect? ; and Unpacking “Good Intentions”.
To register for these free, virtual events, please navigate to the following:
- Session 1: August 4 – 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Panel Focus: National & MA Initiatives – Connection to Local Programs - Register here.
- Session 2: August 11 – 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Panel Focus: Community Models for Making Positive Change: Highlighting how Brockton and East Bridgewater are addressing STEM and DEI in their respective communities – Register here.
The SE MA STEM Network is one of nine regional networks in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which are funded by the Department of Higher Education’s STEM Pipeline. The regional STEM Networks were established in 2004 and serve as the conduit for connecting PK-16 educators, community leaders and industry partners to further excite and energize students about opportunities in STEM subjects. The Governor’s STEM Advisory Council has established goals for the regional Networks to prioritize throughout their initiatives, collaborations, and resources. Click here for additional information about the regional STEM Networks.
CONNECT, which provides oversight for the SE MA STEM Network, was established in 2003, is comprised of Bridgewater State University, Bristol Community College, Cape Cod Community College, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Massasoit Community College, and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. For additional information about CONNECT, or the SE MA STEM Network, please contact Stacey A. Kaminski, Ed.D., Executive Director, at Stacey.kaminski@connectsemass.org.